Caladium plant named ‘RS-03-03’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘RS-03-03’, characterized by its compact and uniformly mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; relatively short crop time; lance-type leaves that are pearlescent white to greenish white in color with dark green-colored margins and white to greenish white-colored venation; and good landscape performance.

Botanical designation: Caladium×hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘RS-03-03’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium×hortulanum, commercially referredto as a lance (strap) leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to bythe name ‘RS-03-03’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a self-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2004 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium×hortulanum ‘WhiteWing’, not patented. The new Caladium plant was discovered and selectedby the Inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the statedself-pollination in a controlled outdoor nursery environment in ZolfoSprings, Fla. on September, 2005.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by ‘chipping’ the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2006 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may varysomewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperatureand light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘RS-03-03’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘RS-03-03’ as a new and distinct Caladium plant:

-   -   1. Compact and uniformly mounded plant habit.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; relatively short        crop time.    -   3. Lance-type leaves that are pearlescent white to greenish        white in color with dark green-colored margins and white to        greenish white-colored venation.    -   4. Good landscape performance and relatively tolerant to high        light conditions.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the parent,‘White Wing’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are shorter and more compact than        plants of ‘White Wing’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium grow faster and produce finished        plants about one week earlier than plants of ‘White Wing’.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Wing’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of plants of ‘White Wing’ are creamy white in        color with mottled green-colored margins, red-colored petiole        junctions and pink-tinged venation.    -   4. Plants of the Caladium and ‘White Wing’ differ in leaf        petiole coloration.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants ofCaladium×hortulanum ‘Mt. Everest’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.18,764. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differedprimarily from plants of ‘Mt. Everest’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium were shorter and more mounded than        plants of ‘Mt. Everest’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium produced finished plants about one        to two weeks earlier than plants of ‘Mt. Everest’.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Mt. Everest’ differed in leaf        color as leaves of plants of ‘Mt. Everest’ were creamy white to        greyed green in color with dark green-colored margins and        reddish pink-colored petiole junctions and venation.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants ofCaladium×hortulanum ‘White Marble’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.18,819. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differedprimarily from plants of ‘White Marble’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium were shorter and more mounded than        plants of ‘White Marble’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium produced finished plants about one        to two weeks earlier than plants of ‘White Marble’.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Marble’ differed in        leaf color as leaves of plants of ‘White Marble’ had creamy        white and green-colored Intervenal areas, random white-colored        spots often tinged with pink, dark green-colored margins and        greenish creamy white-colored venation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical plant of ‘RS-03-03’ in a 15-cm container and grown in ashadehouse.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a comparison view oftypical plants of ‘RS-03-03’ grown in 15-cm containers; the plant on theleft has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on the right has hadits tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a close-up view oftypical freshly-harvested tubers and roots of ‘RS-03-03’ plants.

The photograph Aar the top of the third sheet is side perspective viewof typical plants of ‘RS-03-03’ grown in an open field.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet is a close-up view ofdeveloping and fully developed inflorescences of ‘RS-03-03’.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of ‘Mt. Everest’ (left), ‘RS-03-03’ (center) and‘White Marble (right).

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of the parent, ‘White Wing’ (left) and ‘RS-03-03’(right).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shadehouse (30% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight in an outdoornursery in Zolfo Springs, Fla. The plants were grown under culturalpractices typical of commercial shadehouse and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the plants, day temperatures rangedfrom about 29° C. to 33° C. (shadehouse) or 29° C. to 35° C. (outdoornursery), night temperatures ranged from about 22° C. to 25° C.(shadehouse) or 23° C. to 26° C. (outdoor nursery) and light levels wereabout 8,000 foot-candles (shadehouse) or 10,000 to 12,000 foot-candles(outdoor nursery). Plants grown in the shadehouse were seven weeks oldand plants grown in the outdoor nursery were six months old when thephotographs and the detailed description were taken. In the followingdescription, color references are made to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium×hortulanum ‘RS-03-03’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium×hortulanum ‘White Wing’,            not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium×hortulanum ‘White Wing’,            not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented and somewhat flattened;            individual segments ovate in shape. Height: About 4.2 cm.            Diameter: About 5 cm. Segment height: About 3.2 cm. Segment            diameter: About 3 cm. Texture: Thick, starchy; somewhat            brittle. Color: Epidermis, freshly-harvested: Close to N170C            to N170D and 174B to 174C. Epidermis, dried: Close to 200A            to 200B. Cortical tissue: Close to 158B to 158D. Axillary            buds: Close to 27D and 155C. Root description: Thick, fleshy            contractile roots; color, close to 155C. Rooting habit:            Dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Compact and uniformly mounded plant            habit; vigorous and dense growth habit; rapid growth rate,            potted plants in finished or saleable form in about six to            seven weeks after planting tubers; leaf petioles and leaves            arise from one or more growing points on tubers; petioles            mostly upright and leaning outwardly with development.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 16 cm to 20 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 22 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown potted            plants.—About 25 cm to 29 cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted            plants.—About 15 shoots develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Length: About            5 cm. Width: About 1.3 cm. Shape: Ligulate. Apex: Acute.            Base: Sheathing the stem. Color, inner and outer surfaces:            Close to 147B to 147C variably streaked and stippled with            close to between N186C and N199B; with development, color            becoming closer to 199C.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; lance-type.        -   Length, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 12 cm to 15            cm.        -   Width, shadehouse-grown potted plants, flattened.—About 7 cm            to 9.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate to lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Sagittate to sagittate-peltate.        -   Margin.—Entire; mostly flat with broad undulations; fully            expanded leaves folded upright along the midrib.        -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; flexible; dull            sheen.        -   Texture, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous; glaucous.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Developing leaves,            upper surface: Main colors: Center, close to 155C; towards            the margins, close to 194B to 194C, 147A and 146C to 146D;            margins, close to 147A and 146C to 146D. Basal notch: Very            faint thin line, close to 187A. Midrib: Close to 157C;            distally, close to 157B to 157C. Primary veins: Close to            157A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Main colors: Center,            close to 155C; towards the margins, close to 147B to 147C;            margins, close to 147C and 191A. Basal notch: Very faint            thin line, close to 187A. Midrib: Close to 145D tinged with            close to N170D; distally, close to between 193A and 145B.            Primary veins: Close to 145B to 145C. Fully expanded leaves,            upper surface: Main colors: Center, close to 192C and 194B;            towards the margins, close to 146A and 147A; margins, close            to 147A to 147B. Basal notch: Very faint thin line, close to            187A. Midrib: Close to 157A tinged with close to 195B;            distally, close to 157A. Primary veins: Close to 192C. Fully            expanded leaves, lower surface: Main colors: Center, close            to 192C to 192D; towards the margins, close to 191A to 191B;            margins, close to 191A. Basal notch: Very faint thin line,            close to 187A. Midrib: Close to 157B very faintly tinged            with close to N170D; distally, close to 145C. Primary veins:            Close to 145B.        -   Petiole.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight; with            development, leaning outwardly; flexible. Length,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 14 cm to 16 cm.            Diameter, distal, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About            3.4 mm. Diameter, proximal, shadehouse-grown potted plants:            About 8 mm. Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants: Just            below the leaf and petiole junction: Close to 147C to 147D.            Overall: Close to 160D and 147D variably streaked and            stippled with close to N199B tinged with close to N186C.            Wing length, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 4.5 cm.            Wing diameter, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 5 mm.            Wing color, shadehouse-grown potted plants, inner and outer            surfaces: Close to 147B to 147C variably streaked and            stippled with close to between N186C and N199B.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences observed on eight week-old    shadehouse-grown potted plants.    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on a tall upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            lower one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on the            upper two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop at            junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring or early            summer in central Florida; flowers develop about four weeks            after growth commences; inflorescences last about three days            before fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 13.6 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 9.6 cm. Length, proximal closed portion:            About 4 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 4.6 cm. Width,            at constriction: About 1.65 cm. Width, proximal closed            portion: About 2.4 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acuminate. Base:            Tapering to the peduncle. Margin: Entire. Texture, front and            rear surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, front surface:            Distal open portion: Close to between 157B and 145D; with            development, color becoming closer to 199C to 199D. Proximal            closed portion: Close to 147B to 147C; with development,            color becoming faintly mottled with close to 146B to 146C.            Color, rear surface: Distal open portion: Close to between            157B and 145B to 145C. Proximal closed portion: Close to            147B to 147C faintly mottled with close to 146B to 146C.        -   Spadix.—Length: About 7.4 cm. Length, male flower zone:            About 5.8 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 1.7 cm. Length,            female flower zone: About 1.5 cm. Diameter, male flower            zone: About 1 cm. Diameter, sterile flower zone: About            7.5 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 1 cm. Shape:            Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Obtuse.            Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to 158A            tinged with close to 150D. Color, mature, sterile zone:            Close to 158A tinged with close to 150D. Color, mature,            female zone: Close to 20D and 159A. Male flowers: Quantity            per spadix: About 140. Shape: Obovate. Height: About 3 mm.            Diameter: About 3 mm. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color:            Close to 11D. Female flowers: Quantity per spadix:            About 160. Shape: Obovate. Height: About 2 mm. Diameter:            About 1.2 mm. Stigma color: Close to 20D and 159A. Ovary            color: Close to 155D.        -   Scape.—Length: About 18 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm. Strength:            Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture: Smooth,            glabrous; glaucous. Color: Between 147B and 146B variably            streaked and faintly mottled with close to N186C and N199B.        -   Seeds and fruits.—Seed and fruit development have not been            observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Disease & pest tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have above average tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot    and to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot. Plants of the new    Caladium have not been observed to have resistance to pests and    other pathogens common to Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘RS-03-03’ asillustrated and described.